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The rise of fatalities caused by distracted driving

On behalf of Goldman Law Offices posted in Car Accidents on Friday, January 9, 2015.

Pennsylvania residents may not have heard the recent data about distracted driving in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that the issue is a major problem in the United States and has led to a number of fatalities and injuries as a result. In order to address the issue, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a ban prohibiting commercial vehicle operators from texting while driving. The government has also gotten involved, and many states have enacted laws banning the use of a cellphone while driving.

The CDC states that 69 percent of drivers ages 18 to 64 admitted to talking on their cellphone behind the wheel within the 30-day period before they were surveyed. In the same age group, 31 percent admitted to reading or sending texts or emails while driving as well.

The agency has listed three main types of distraction as visual, cognitive and manual; they acknowledge that texting while driving may be the most dangerous form of distracted driving because it involves all three types. Over nine people are killed and over 1,153 injuries are caused in accidents resulting from distracted driving.

Even though growing awareness has shed the spotlight on how dangerous distracted driving can be, some people are still unaware about the issue, and others choose to text while driving anyway, making the mistake of believing the dangers do not apply to them. Car accidents happen frequently due to distracted driving, and if a collision occurs as a result of a driver being distracted in any way, the repercussions can be devastating; both the driver and other drivers on the road could be fatally wounded or seriously injured. A lawyer could help a victim seek compensation for their injuries.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Distracted Driving", January 03, 2015

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